Truscott happy with a point as Clipstone show some fight

It took a second-half equaliser to secure Clipstone a point, but having seen the Cobras perform strongly in the latter part of games several times this season, Truscott wasn’t entirely surprised.

He said: “I’m very pleased with a point. I think the scoreline was a fair reflection on the game as we dug deep in certain periods so deserved something. It also maintains our unbeaten run in this interim phase.

“We showed good character to come back and in the second-half, as against Cleethorpes, we were the stronger side again. It’s been a trend that’s followed us all season and although it’s hard to put a finger on why we’re so slow in the first-half, it’s pleasing to see us fighting back.”

Truscott also praised on-loan Mansfield Town youngster Tyler Blake who impressed on his debut, adding: “He’s what we needed and we are grateful to Mansfield for lending him to us.

“Part of our remit is to make him a better player and help him adapt to men’s football. He stepped up well here and didn’t look out of place at all.”

Both sides created chances during an entertaining first half but it was Albion who opened the scoring when a defensive error let in Sports’ top scorer Marcus Edwards who squared the ball for Omar Habeeb to score from ten yards.

The closest the home side came to a goal in the first period was after 37 minutes when Pat Lindley sent sub Simba Ganyiwa away down the right and the winger delivered a cross that Blake was unable to apply a finishing touch to from two yards out.

After several near-misses the Cobras deservedly equalised after 62 minutes when Blake got free in the area and although his effort was saved, Lindley was on hand to put the ball into the net from close range.

Both sides created numerous openings but neither could find a winning goal, the draw a fair result after an entertaining encounter.